Current Residents
First Year Residents
Laura Fox, MD
Where are you originally from?
Sultan, WAUndergraduate College:
Cornell UniversityWhere did you attend Medical School?
University of South Dakota Sanford School of MedicineWhy did you choose PTHA?
Growing up in rural Washington, I recall many occasions where the culture and traditions of Salish tribes touched both my educational and personal experiences. My training in South Dakota also brought me closer to patients from the reservations at Rosebud, Pine Ridge, and Standing Rock. Learning medicine in that environment offered constant reminders that modern healthcare holds only a small part of what it means to be a truly well human being. PTHA emphasizes a whole-person approach to full-spectrum care. Such comprehensive training in my home state was all I could ever ask for!What are your interests?
My medical interests include women’s health, nutrition, holistic medicine, and making it simpler for those with unique neurocognitive needs to engage with their own medical decision making, particularly individuals on the autism spectrum. My scientific expertise is in traumatic brain injury, anxiety, PTSD, and neuroendocrinology.What are some fun facts about you?
I turned down the chance for a spot on the U.S. Olympic archery team and went to college instead of Beijing, but I still love to shoot and coach today. I am fond of outdoor activities and enjoy even more sharing the outdoors with friends and family. I play a few instruments (some better than others!) and volunteer with Girl Scouts of Western Washington as often as I can. My husband and I love exploring new places and new foods together, at restaurants and at home. I was once an engineer at Boeing, love anything J.R.R. Tolkien ever wrote, and for better or worse, am a morning person.Chelsea Nagayama, DO
Where are you originally from?
I was born in Honolulu, HI and I grew up in a suburb near Fort Worth, TX in a town called Keller. I’ve lived in Seattle and Kitsap peninsula since undergrad.Undergraduate College:
University of WashingtonWhere did you attend Medical School?
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona Community campus: Renton, WAWhy did you choose PTHA?
PTHA has a great mix of things I really cared about in a residency- a warm welcoming community clinic, a large hospital to soak up all the knowledge, opportunities to gain rural experience, ability to grow my OMM skills, and a team that will allow me to grow as a provider and person. Also, I felt the folks at PTHA promoted the culture of understanding health and healing beyond institutional medicine, which really resonated with me.What are your interests?
In medicine, I am interested in OMM, obstetrics, lifestyle medicine and practicing in a rural environment. Outside of medicine, I like to cook and pretend I am a member of the Bon Appetit test kitchen, have dance offs with anyone willing to lose, nerd out about painting and art theory, and see live music (hopefully that isn’t just a distant memory of the past).What are some fun facts about you?
I have a fine art degree in painting and drawing and a few of my favorite artists are Richard Tuttle, Jessica Stockholder, Phillip Guston and Joan Mitchell. Art and medicine are very unique, however one commonality that I am drawn to in both fields is the physicality of the work. I once dined with Michelle and Barack Obama… well I once dined at the same restaurant as them in Honolulu during the holidays and FORMER (but forever in my heart) PRESIDENT OBAMA WALKED RIGHT PAST ME!Daniel O’Bryan, DO
Where are you originally from?
St. Louis, MOUndergraduate College:
Maryville University of St. LouisWhere did you attend Medical School?
Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic MedicineWhy did you choose PTHA?
I choose PTHA for the ability to train in a similar size hospital as my surgical training hospital. I also was looking for a primary care program that had unopposed training. The program has shown that education to their residents is key. I also wanted to strengthen my osteopathic skills and PTHA has the tools that would allow this. The idea of training in an environment that also allows me to learn more about Native Americans is very unique and exciting to me.What are your interests?
My medical interests include being part of an outpatient clinic with the opportunity to work within the community and at local hospitals. I enjoy any hands-on medicine for example OMM and bedside/minor procedures. I would also be interested in substance abuse or sleep medicine. Outside of medicine I enjoy many things. Creating has to be one of my favorite past times, this includes cooking, DIY projects, baking, piano, gardening and more. I also enjoy being part of groups, whether it is my Kickball group or just a group to hang out and grab some dinner. I love any type of games from board games to puzzles to computer games. I’m a big movie and music fan as well, but I would say most people are!What are some fun facts about you?
My dog gets too much attention and has more beds than she is “years old”. I never had an animal until 2nd year of medical school. Business was my first career; medicine was is my second and final career where I started out as a surgery resident and have since transitioned into family medicine. I forced myself to start drinking coffee 1st year of medical school, prior to that I couldn’t tolerate the taste of coffee. I always try to go, do, or experience something new every year of my life.Yuina Satoh, DO
Where are you originally from?
I was born in Japan and grew up moving back and forth between Japan and the US. Within the US, I’ve lived all over the place from East to West coast, including New York, Oregon, California, and then Colorado.Undergraduate College:
University of California, BerkeleyWhere did you attend Medical School?
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic MedicineWhy did you choose PTHA?
I was attracted to PTHA for the comradery among the residents, faculty, and staff, and for the unique opportunity to work with a medically underserved patient population. Pride in diversity, a strong sense of serving the community, and patient advocacy are all important to me and I find these values to be reflected in the mission of PTHA. I am also thrilled to be moving to Tacoma, Washington. Having spent a number of years living and traveling in the Pacific Northwest, I am ecstatic to be returning to this beautiful region.What are your interests?
As for my career goal, I have a particular interest in women’s health and hope to be able to grow professionally into an advocate for women’s health issues, while still practicing the full spectrum of medicine. Outside of medicine, I enjoy training and performing as a circus straps artist, exploring nature and the outdoors, and trying anything new and exciting. On a more leisurely day, I like to create things, whether that be by sewing, crocheting, cooking, or baking.What are some fun facts about you?
I am a triplet and I weighed 1645grams (that’s 3.6lbs) when I was born. I am a circus performer and trained on aerial straps after undergrad for a number of years. I perform as an aerialist at local events and venues and hope to be able to continue to do so in Tacoma!Second Year Residents
Ted Weatherwax, MD
Where are you originally from?
I grew up in Taos, NM and Browning, MTUndergraduate College:
Montana State University - BS in Microbiology Tulane - MS in Cellular and Molecular BiologyWhere did you attend Medical School?
University of New Mexico, School of MedicineWhy did you choose PTHA?
I started my journey into medicine as an EMT on my own reservation. While there I developed a deep appreciation for the role in a community physicians can have for cultivating a culture of healing. When I was given the opportunity to visit PTHA during my interview season I was deeply impressed by the level of community that was developed between the providers, the staff and the people they serve. In addition it opened my eyes to osteopathic manipulation. To learn how to practice medicine in this environment, and to learn how to develop the practice of medicine for tribal communities will be incredible!What are your interests?
I enjoy providing full spectrum care, working with patients who have substance use disorders, and OB patients. I would like to specialize in Addiction Medicine.What are some fun facts about you?
I am training to be a DM for DnD, play Magic the Gathering, enjoy terrible books and movies. I have a rescued boudreaux pit bull who has spent 8 years trying to teach me the perfection of mind that comes from being entirely at one with the moment, and to never let anything come between yourself and peanut butter.Winnie Tsai, DO
Where are you originally from?
Rancho Palos Verdes, CAUndergraduate College:
University of California, IrvineWhere did you attend Medical School?
A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in ArizonaWhy did you choose PTHA?
After completing an audition rotation, I knew PTHA would be an amazing place to train during my residency. It has a perfect balance of rigorous adult and pediatric inpatient training alongside residents at Tacoma Family Medicine, a warm and welcoming outpatient clinic that provides care for Puyallup tribal members as well as other regional Native American tribes and a strong osteopathic manipulative medicine curriculum.What are your interests?
I am a firm believer in practicing medicine with a focus on prevention that incorporates education on nutrition and physical activity. I am interested in pediatric and women's health, behavioral health, utilizing osteopathic manipulative medicine/integrative medicine for chronic pain, and issues concerning end of life. I have always been passionate about working with undeserved communities. Outside of work, I enjoy being outdoors and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest -- hiking, eating, gardening, traveling and photography. I love to cook and experiment with new recipes. I also love low-key "Netflix and Chill" evenings with my husband.What are some fun facts about you?
I spent a month in Quito, Ecuador of my 4th year learning medical Spanish and met my future co-resident Arielle in Baños de Santa Agua! I hiked up to the summit of Ruca Pichincha, a volcano at 15,413 ft elevation. I am obsessed with dogs, yet allergic to them at the same time.Nick Snow, DO
Where are you originally from?
The beautiful hills of western North Carolina (Granite Falls, NC)Undergraduate College:
North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC)Where did you attend Medical School?
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Virginia Campus (Blacksburg, VA)Why did you choose PTHA?
I chose PTHA on account of the community we serve! I am passionate about Native health and PTHA provides an amazing array of patient-centered, well-rounded care. PTHA has also fostered a sense of community unlike other programs and I am excited to be a part of it. I plan to pursue a career in this IHS and know that PTHA would be an exceptional preparation for my future. Additionally, I am excited to grow as an osteopath and found the OMM training here to be exceptional. I also can't deny the fact that I am excited to be in the Evergreen state with all of the beautiful nature around. 🙂What are your interests?
In regards to health and medicine, I am interested in many things. My all-encompassing motivation to empower folks to increase their overall physical, mental, and spiritual health. I am passionate about food, exercise, osteopathic manipulation, herbal & integrative medicine, musculoskeletal/sports medicine, and mental/spiritual health. I also am interested in health policy, particularly matters that pertain to the "upstream" determinants of health, like insurance, employment, access to green areas, and food access. I believe are health is inseparable from our communities and together, we can all support in each other in health.What are some fun facts about you?
Outside of the clinic and hospital, you can find me outside hiking trails, climbing rocks, dancing to groovy tunes, or simply enjoying some tea and reading a book. I love mushrooms and used to forage in the Appalachian mountains, so any local knowledge on the local mycology will be appreciated! I'm a professionally amateur juggler. I've also traveled to several Latin American countries and love to speak Spanish!Arielle Jacob, DO
Where are you originally from?
Freehold, NJUndergraduate College:
Fordham University in Bronx, NYWhere did you attend Medical School?
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, PAWhy did you choose PTHA?
My previous positions in the social work field has inspired me to stay involved with community outreach and empowerment; however, I was unsure with which community. After a transforming medical school rotation with PTHA, I knew I wanted to dedicate my career to indigenous health. I chose PTHA because of their unity and dedication to the Native population.What are your interests?
My career interests include preventive medicine, rural health, health literacy, mental and emotional health, bridging modern and traditional treatments, nutrition, diabetes management, and women's healthcare.What are some fun facts about you?
In my spare time, I enjoy reading memoirs, trying new recipes, taking aerialist classes, and binge watching Latin American telenovelas.Third Year Residents
Andrew Ma, DO
Where are you originally from?
Los Angeles, CAUndergraduate College:
Occidental CollegeWhere did you attend Medical School?
Liberty College of Osteopathic MedicineWhy did you choose PTHA?
I chose PTHA for its patient population and locationWhat are your interests?
Preventative and pain medicine. Personally, I love food, fitness, the LA Lakers, travel, snowboarding, photography, and League of Legends.What are some fun facts about you?
I have instructed and assisted students in playing guitar, bass guitar, piano and drums, and composed and tabbed songs for students to perform in annual concerts for Chinatown Children’s Choir in Los Angeles. I have also completed the 100 chicken McNugget eating challenge.Hilary Baer, DO
Where are you originally from?
Astoria, OregonUndergraduate College:
Pacific UniversityWhere did you attend Medical School?
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic MedicineWhy did you choose PTHA?
I chose PTHA because of its strong foundation in Osteopathic medicine and Osteopathic principles. I truly appreciated the sense of community and collegiality during my interaction with people at PTHA. The broad-spectrum curriculum offered by PTHA will provide the training I need to become a successful, competent family physician, and set me up to provide the best care possible to my patients. I look forward to learning about Tribal culture and their unique health care needs.What are your interests?
I love Osteopathic manipulation and believe it is a great treatment option for patients with pain. I enjoy treating many patients with Osteopathic manipulation, but my passion is treating pregnant women, women who have recently had a baby, and athletes. Outside of medicine, I enjoy reading, music and going to concerts, cooking, volunteering, and exploring the community with my family.What are some fun facts about you?
I have a sweet 1 year old daughter, Eleanor. In high school I was in varsity choir and sang in Carnegie Hall in New York City. In college I swam with sharks in Belize. I am a contributor to a health blog - Infinite Health D.O.Ashley Olson, DO
Where are you originally from?
Delta, WIUndergraduate College:
University of Wisconsin Madison – BS in Special EducationWhere did you attend Medical School?
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic MedicineWhy did you choose PTHA?
Prior to pursuing a medical career, I was a teacher in Bethel, AK, the off-the-road-system rural hub of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. After a short time, it became clear that I would spend the rest of my life in Bethel and have therefor directed my medical training toward acquiring the skills necessary to effectively practice medicine in the hospital serving the Alaska Native communities throughout the YK Delta. PTHA provides me with the opportunity to focus on both rural full-spectrum medicine with obstetrics and the unique needs of Native communities with whom I will be working.What are your interests?
In life, I am interested in anything that keeps me moving, preferably outside. In medicine, I am primarily interested in very rural, full spectrum medicine. The reality of having to routinely come up with unique solutions to problems that wouldn’t even arise in areas of unlimited resources is extraordinarily enjoyable to me.What are some fun facts about you?
I grew up in a barn in the middle of nowhere in Wisconsin. I used to teach middle school. I’m an introvert and just the thought of mingling gives me heart palpitations. I have a knack for finding lost items. I don’t like it when my hands get dirty. My first car was a 1991 Ford Thunderbird with a rust spot in the passenger side floorboard that was so impressive you could see the road beneath your feet.Ian Gillingham, MD
